Occupational Therapy Assistant

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Provides skilled occupational therapy services in a patient’s home according to the Occupational Therapist plan of care.
• Observes, records, and reports patient reactions, changes, and progress.
• Affirms functional problems and provides intervention and, in conjunction with the occupational therapist works toward goals to improve patient functional status.
• Helps decrease re-hospitalizations by front loading visits for high risk patients.
• Performs occupational therapy procedures and diagnostic tests on patients for whom they have been medically prescribed.
• Guides the patient in his/her use of therapeutic, creative and self-care activities for the purpose of improving functioning.
• Communicates effectively with physician, therapist, and coworkers.
• Participates in case conferencing promoting coordination of care.
• Educates staff in carrying out specific occupational therapy modalities when appropriate.
• Educates patient and family on the appropriate treatment procedures and supportive activities and safety measures.
• Instructs patient and family members on proper use of equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, walkers, crutches, canes, and other prosthetic/orthotic devices.
• Helps decrease re-hospitalizations by teaching the patient on preventative measures and making good decisions.
• Fosters independence in patients and their families to prevent dependence on the agency.
• Listens to patient and family members.
• Completes all clinical documentation in accordance with agency protocol and Medicare/Federal guidelines.
• Documents all aspects of treatment, assessments, and patient education.
• Maintains active OTA license.
• Communicates with scheduler any changes as needed.
• Completes chart audits at agency site as requested.
• Participates in all on-call requirements and case conferences.
• Attends in-service trainings and mandatory agency meetings.
• Participates in orientation/training of new employees.
• Maintains a professional appearance as a representative of the company.
• Understands and practices agency policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Drives to patient’s primary location per scheduled visit.
• Daily attendance at assigned visit locations.
• Documents all aspects of subsequent, discharge, eval/recert/resumption of care visits within 24 hours of visits.
• Documents all aspects of start of care visits within 48 hours of visits.
• Completes and submits all required documentation within specified company requirements.
• Follows plan of care as permitted within the scope of practice for a Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant, per the state of employment.

Physical Demands

• Constantly (66%-100%): Reading, Speaking, Writing English Communications Skills Computer/PDA Usage Walking Bending Standing Sitting Stretching/Reaching Distinguish smell/taste Hearing/Seeing Hearing in person Hearing on the phone Talking in person Talking on the phone Vision for close work
• Frequently (34%-66%): Driving Lifting up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance Climbing Stooping (bend at waist)
• Occasionally (2%-33%): N/A Rarely (1% or less): N/A